Cecelia, August 2, 2012

I thought I would do a short post to let everyone know that as of this morning at 6:45 Cecelia has not had her foal.

If you did not read my post about Cecelia and Sitting Bull click CECELIA and you can read it.

Sitting Bull and Ceceila, July 29, 2012

My intention was to come down from the top of the mountain and look for her yesterday. But it had been a very emotional trip up there (Lakota’s memorial and the removals), that when I stepped out of my truck on lower Sykes in the desert at 5 in the afternoon yesterday, I decided to wait until morning. The heat hit me like a 375 degree oven ready for cookie dough. I figured the chances of finding them was probably pretty slim, as they could be behind any bush trying to stay cool.

So I went into Lovell to the Horseshoe motel and set my alarm for 4:30 am.

I actually woke up before it went off. I was packed up and heading towards Sykes at 5:00. It was still dark. I saw several mule deer with their babies scampering through the fields playing. I stopped and watched them for a minute.

The moon was still high in the sky by the time I got to lower Sykes and I packed up my camera and water. I was determined to find her and hoping she would have her foal by her side. I did not care how long it took.

Full Moon in the early morning over lower Sykes.

I was prepared for a long hike. The morning was beautiful. The full moon, the cool temps, the quiet, no other people, it all reconfirmed why I love this place.

I hiked over one hill and “glassed” around, nothing. I hike up another hill and there was Sitting Bull on a small hill! I could not believe my luck. Well, let me back up a bit. I kind of knew where they might be. Obviously Cecelia would not want to move much, but they did have to go for water. Let me also point out that lower Sykes is filled with deeps and hills..it can be very hard to see anyone.

Sitting Bull in the early morning light, August 2, 2012

I “glassed” again and saw Cecelia’s back just below the ridge. I REALLY wanted to see a foal with her. It would just make this trip end on a pleasant note. She walked over the ridge and to my disappointment still looked HUGE!

Cecelia, August 2, 2012

I stayed watching them from a distance until the sun rose. I decided I would not go closer. There was no foal and I did not want to bother their perfect quiet of the morning. I knew they saw me, but they pretended they didn’t, which was what I wanted and how it should be.

Cecelia and Sitting Bull

The moon came out from behind the cloud and I snapped one more photo of the peaceful beauty.

I stayed until the sun rose enough to shine on this elusive couple. I watched them for a few minutes longer and turned and walked back to the truck.

The rising sun hits Cecelia and Sitting Bull, August 2, 2012

I was so wishing to see new life on the last morning of my trip. But it was not to be so. But the quiet and beauty of the morning was also a gift that helped lift my spirits.

The Pryors are a magical place and I believe that it is more magical for some, than others, and that is okay. I feel that I am one of the lucky ones.

21 thoughts on “Cecelia, August 2, 2012”

It’s funny how some mares can be HUGE and not foal for awhile. Cecelia’s been illusive but I feel like Washakie was huge since the spring. And then theres some mares you don’t realize are pregnant and then you see them with a foal in the next couple days. These girls like to keep us guessing!

Sandy thank you again for sharing, caring, and being the beautiful person that you are. As a mere bluebird monitor, I know the pain of waiting and watching the wild things. Wish that we could help/care more, yet Mother Nature will have her way with all things. All we can do now is send positive energy Cecilia’s way. Perhaps Lakota’s loss will deliver new, fresh, positive days ahead. Rest and heal now for a bit. Diane

Wow, Cecelia is huge!!! Don’t worry Sandy, Im sure that she’ll have the baby soon. She’s probably not due for a few days or a week maybe. I hope she’ll give birth soon and it would be so cool if she gave birth on your next visit to the Pryors and you got to film the birth